"This was the class system gone mad": McEnroe didn't hold back in views on Royal Family and exclusive Royal Box at Wimbledon
ATPMonday, 17 July 2023 at 00:19
Former world number one America’s John McEnroe has
criticized the move to make players bow in front of the Royal Family and Royal
Box at Wimbledon.
The third Grand Slam of the year is set to conclude today
(Sunday) in London with a mouthwatering finale between the defending champion
Novak Djokovic and current world number one Carlos Alcaraz.
In the final, there is a tradition of players making curtsy in
front of the Royal Box to acknowledge the presence of the Royal Family members there
in the final.
McEnroe is clearly not a fan of any such move and expressed
his opinion in strong words.
“As for all the bowing and the curtsying - and we're not
just talking about the Queen here, we're talking about some pretty minor royals
- what was that all about?” wrote McEnroe.
“This was the class system gone mad,
the opposite of a meritocracy where hard work is rewarded and people are
respected because they've actually done something, not because they've been
born on the right side of the tracks.”
“Who were the performers here? The players, right? So why
were they bowing to someone else when they were about to provide the
entertainment? Those people in the royal box should think about bowing to
them.”
Azeem Siddiqui is a seasoned sports journalist and data analyst with a strong background in both digital media and live sports production.
He began his journalism career working with partners of The New York Times and has since contributed to several leading international sports publications, including Fox Sports Asia, Calciomercato, and GiveMeSport. Since 2023, Azeem has been part of the TennisUpToDate team, where he has played a key role in sustaining the platform’s growth and ensuring tennis fans receive timely and reliable coverage of the sport’s biggest stories.
In addition to his editorial work, Azeem has extensive experience as a data analyst in live sports broadcasting—particularly in cricket—where he combines analytical precision with creative storytelling. He has collaborated with multiple production companies and cricket boards worldwide, delivering real-time insights and data-driven narratives during live match coverage.
claps 7visitors 7
Just In
Popular News
Latest Comments
- STOP the "Look at Me" Tour now... and forever!!
mandoist05-09-2026 - This article is SPOT ON!!!Rapunzel04-09-2026
- This article is SPOT ON!!!Rapunzel04-09-2026
- Is there no one in Pro Tennis willing to give this one some form of intervention before she crashes??mandoist04-09-2026
- Double Standards for the male players? Gross. BTW: This "apology" reads like the one his lawyers wrote for him when he had to go to the Kangaroo Court for slapping his girlfriend around.mandoist04-09-2026
- From Day One, legalizing Sports Betting was never going to end well (for The Sport... not just the thousands who lose their livelihoods and bank accounts). We're not even close to the end of the damage this is causing.mandoist03-09-2026
- From Day One, legalizing Sports Betting was never going to end well (for The Sport... not the thousands who lose their livelihoods and bank accounts). We're not even close to the end of the damage this is causing.mandoist03-09-2026
- In her defense... she has no "defense" and likely could not articulate it if she did.mandoist03-09-2026
- Someone is not enjoying her gradual slide down the rankings, which became noticeable last season. BTW: That reporter's on to something familiar -- the effects of Social Media Stardom on one's Second Priority (Tennis). Shades of Bouchard, Giorgi, Raducanu, etc.mandoist03-09-2026
- Sabalenka seems so unhappy. When you get angry after every mistake you make on court, you’ve got some issues sweetie! She also does seem to be “partying” a lot if you follow her social media (I don’t lolol). Very immature personality.DaveyWavey03-09-2026
Loading
